School closure consultation despite opposition

A council is pressing ahead with a consultation to close a primary school despite opposition from parents.

Gateshead Council’s cabinet signed off the process to explore shutting Felling’s Colegate Community Primary School in September 2025.

According to council reports, the school is suffering from low pupil numbers, alongside a £209,000 deficit predicted to reach £350,000 by 2025/26.

The move to potentially close the school angered parents and locals, sparking a petition for continued support of the school amassing 2,400 signatures.

A previous report and consultation on the school explored other options, including consolidating the school into one building to reduce costs.

However, these were not deemed feasible by council officers, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A final decision will be made on the school’s future in September.

A consultation with admission authorities, neighbouring councils and local organisations is due to be launched on Wednesday.

Cabinet member for children and young people at the Labour-led council, Gary Haley, said pupil numbers had been falling for "quite some time".

He said: "We are not in a position to sustain a school with a growing deficit budget, it would put other services in the council at risk."

The council has earmarked Windy Nook, The Drive, Wardley, St Augustine’s, Roman Road, Lingey House and White Meer primary schools as alternatives for the projected 113 pupils remaining by September this year.

According to council documents, these schools are within a "reasonable walking distance".

Parent Catherine Littlewood, who presented the petition to the local authority in May, said the moves to closure had left other parents "heartbroken and devastated".

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